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The Newbies Arena Are you new to knife making? Here is all the help you will need.

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  #1  
Old 03-18-2015, 01:40 PM
AllanBeasley AllanBeasley is offline
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What I made from a bowling ball.

Here's something different. I made the scales for this little number out of a bowling ball. Turns out I was exactly right about how well it was going to work, this was the prototype for proof of concept. I cut the ball into wide enough sections close to the middle to make scales, peeled the skin off on the fine blade bandsaw, got them warm and pressed them flat in the vise. Sanded the underside smooth and the rest was exactly what you'd do under any other circumstances. Very happy with the end result, these scales cost $4.50 because I bought the ball at Goodwill. Also, the camera hates this material, it's green and has a much stronger luster than the pics can show.










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Old 03-18-2015, 02:00 PM
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Ray Rogers Ray Rogers is offline
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That does look pretty nice. How much heat did it take to straighten out the scales? I ask because polyurethane is easily softened with heat so I wonder if walking around in a desert or a jungle with it would be enough to get a reaction from the scales over time. In any case, a heck of a project that you somehow managed to make look easy ...


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Old 03-18-2015, 02:07 PM
AllanBeasley AllanBeasley is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Rogers View Post
That does look pretty nice. How much heat did it take to straighten out the scales? I ask because polyurethane is easily softened with heat so I wonder if walking around in a desert or a jungle with it would be enough to get a reaction from the scales over time. In any case, a heck of a project that you somehow managed to make look easy ...
It didn't take too much, a hair dryer was enough to straighten it. If the epoxy is good, the worst you have to look forward to is a deep gouge happening more easily, that's about it. Which, if you were in a desert or jungle that would probably be like the smallest problem you could possibly have. It was reasonably easy, but I did waste the rest of the ball figuring out how to get it properly skinned to work for this application.
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Old 03-18-2015, 04:06 PM
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mwhuston mwhuston is offline
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That turned out pretty nice.


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Old 03-18-2015, 04:55 PM
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"bowling balls wanted" ad !! LOL !!

good idea !! I'll bet its pretty darn durable too !!

who woulda thunk ?


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  #6  
Old 03-18-2015, 05:15 PM
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Ray Rogers Ray Rogers is offline
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QUOTE: who woulda thunk ?

Yeah, when a bunch of guys get together and talk about knives you might hear 'leaf springs' or 'that tree I just cut down might have some burl on it' or 'antler' but you just never expect anyone to ask if you have an old bowling ball you don't need. I guess we're lucky that a bowling ball doesn't have to be forged to be useful or someone would have to invent a bowling ball press....


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Old 03-18-2015, 05:50 PM
AllanBeasley AllanBeasley is offline
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Well, now we are obliged to invent a bowling ball press, aren't we? A couple of heated steel plates to flatten the resin after it's cut off should suffice.
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Old 03-18-2015, 06:55 PM
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Hunter10139 Hunter10139 is offline
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Not bad at all man, thats a very attractive design. Very cool idea using the bowling ball. Definitely your best work so far. I have to say I'm loving watching you improve so keep posting!


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Old 03-18-2015, 10:15 PM
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I love everything about it! Here when i opened this thread i was expecting an articulating vice....ive had the stuff to make one, just haven't taken the time yet. And NOW i have to find me another bowling ball!!!! Lol good work Allen!!!

Alex


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Old 03-19-2015, 06:18 PM
tmroper tmroper is offline
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Looks good glad that worked out good for you.
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Old 03-19-2015, 09:41 PM
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Cool!

Good on you.

I am learning something new every day!

Dan
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Old 03-21-2015, 08:47 AM
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C Craft C Craft is offline
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Well by the tittle I wasn't expecting this. Real good re-use, two thumbs up!!!


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With every custom knife I build I try to accomplish three things. I want that knife to look so good you just have to pick it up, feel so good in your hand you can't wait to try it, and once you use it, you never want to put it down !
If I capture those three factors in each knife I build, I am assured the knife will become a piece that is used and treasured by its owner!

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  #13  
Old 03-21-2015, 01:21 PM
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gigante gigante is offline
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I like it. Good work Allan.
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550, 911, antler, ball, blade, burl, case, easy, epoxy, flat, forged, heat, how to, knife, knives, made, make, material, polyurethane, press, problem, project, scales, show, vise


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